Method and apparatus for sealing containers



Dec. 2, 1952 J. HOHL ET AL 2,620,111

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed March 29, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jam HDHL, ULAYBJEHING'.

J. HOHL ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed March 29, 1950 Dec. 2, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 uHL,-. ULAII BJERJ Ira-Z- Dec. 2, 1952 J. HOHL ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed March 29, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 (J'OHNHOHZ Patented Dec. 2, 1952 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS John Hohl and Olav Bjering, Toledo, Ohio, as-

signors to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a

corporation of Ohio Application March 29, 1950, Serial No. 152,542

7 Claims.

This invention relates to the packaging of commodities in containers and particularly to an apparatus and method for displacing the air in the sealed containers.

.A common principle employed in the sealing of commodities in containers is to displace the air in the container with an inert gas, or to displace the air with a vapor such as steam, which, after sealing and cooling of the container, condenses and creates a partial vacuum. Our invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for employing this principle in the displacement of air from both the cap and the container.

An object of the invention is to provide a method and means for distributing inert gas or vapor wherein the greater portion of the air is quickly removed from the closure cap and container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and means for preventing the infiltration of air into the distributing area.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and means for concentrating the flow of inert gas or steam at the point where the closure cap and container are brought together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and means such that the final sealing of cap and container takes place in a flowing atmosphere of inert gas or vapor.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Basically, our invention comprises a method and apparatus for sealing containers by continuously moving caps and containers in register above and below a gas or steam distributor and subjecting each to a series of sheets or streams of inert gas or vapor and finally sealing the caps to the containers While subjecting them to an atmosphere of gas or vapor.

This application discloses subject matter disclosed and claimed in our copending applications, Serial No. 152,541, filed March 29, 1950, and Serial No. 193,653 filed November 2', 1950, each titled Method and Apparatus for Sealing Containers.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a rotary sealing machine in which the present invention may be embodied and produced;

Fig. 2 is a part sectional elevation at the line 2-2 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the steam distributor;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view at the line 4-4 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view at the line 55 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View at the line 6 -6 on 2 Fig. 7 is a sectional view at the line 1-1 on Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view at the line 8-8 on Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, previously filled containers l0 are fed into a sealing machine II by suitable means, hereinshown as a conveyor 12, and spiral spacer and timer I3. The sealing machine comprises three sections l4, l5, and 16. As the containers pass through the first section l4, caps or closures ll are brought into register with the containers by suitable means shown schematically as l8, and travel above and in register with the containers.

The containers are then transferred to the center or second section [5. In this section, the caps and containers are subjected to the inert as or vapor and sealed as hereinafter described. The sealed. containers are then removed by the third section [6.

As herein described, superheated steam is used, but it should be understood that inert gases might be used if desired with obvious mechanical changes such as the removal of the superheater.

As shown in Fig. 2, the center section l5 comprises a carriage l9, arranged for rotation about a stationary vertical shaft 20. A non-rotating frame member 2| is positioned over the carriage and arranged for up-and-down adjustment on the shaft 20.

The carriag I9 comprises an inner sleeve 22 and an outer sleeve 23 splined to the sleeve 22 and adjustable up and down on said sleeve 22. The carriage also includes a circular table or platform 24 bolted to the sleeve 22. The containers l0 are supported on this platform 24 as they are carried through the inert gas or vapor distributor by the carriage. The containers are spaced on the platform by means of a spacing ring 63 (Fig. 2) formed with pockets orrecesses 64, in which the containers are held, the ring 63 being bolted to the platform 24 and spaced thereabove by spacing blocks 65.

A chuck supporting table 25 i bolted to the outer sleeve 23, and supports an annular series of magnetic chucks 26. Each chuck 26car ries a series of small magnets (not shown) by which it is magnetized for holding the caps. The chuck is keyed to a spindle 61 movable up and down in a casing 68, mounted over an opening 21 in the platform 25. The spindle 6! carries a roll 28, running in a cam track formed in the cam 56 which is bolted to th housing 2|. The carriage is rotated by a gear 22a bolted to the sleeve 22. The gear is rotated by suitable means (not shown).

Asuperheater 5'! is bolted to themember 2| and comprises electrical heating elements; 58. A

distributor 29 is fastened to the superheater 51.

Suitable insulating materials 30 are provided around the steam superheater 51 and the distributor 29.

The distributor 29 is are shaped as shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 3. structurally, it comprises outer and inner wall-forming members or channels 3| and 32, U shaped in cross-section, (Figs. 5 and 6), thereby forming channels which extend substantially the full length of the distributor and in which an atmosphere of steam is maintained and circulated as hereinafter described. The channels 3| and 32 are spaced apart to provide a tunnel or passageway 62 (Fig. 6), into which the upper ends of the jars l0 project as they travel through the distributor. An

upper plate 33 overlies and forms a cover for the channels 3| and 32 and is attached to the channel walls by screws 41 (Fig. 3). The plate 33 extends the full width of the steam distributor at the extreme left-hand portion thereof and at the center portion thereof (Fig. 3) and thereby bridges the space between the channels at two points. [From the middle to the right-hand end of the distributor, the upper plate 33 is extended insthe form of comparatively-narrow strips cover- ;ingthe-channels and leaving the tunnel 62 open, z-thuspermitting the caps l'lto be lowered to seal- .ing position as presentlydescribed.

Lower plates 34a and'34b (see Fig. 4) are po- .:sitioned beneathand parallel with the left-hand #51) :are wide open to the adjoining channels.

.end piece 41 is positioned to seal oneend of ithepassageway 451). :A mouthpiece 48 is positioned at one end of the passageway 45a and is shaped so that slits or opening 49.and 50 are formed.

The distributor includes a horizontalplate 52 whichrextends ifrom thesteam chest 45a to the ,SfiBdIll chest 4512. Sa'idplate is of a width to bridge the. space between the channels 31 and 32, and together with :the plates 34a and 3411,

; provides an overhead wall for theleft-hand .half of the tunnel .62 (Figs. .3 and 6).

The plate 52 is' seated on the inner walls .o'fjthe channels 3! .and3-2 and forms-a portion :of the channel walls.

The plate is formed with elongated openings 52a therethrough, extending transversely of the plate and spaced at intervals therealong. The inter mediate sectionsof the plate are in the form of rectangular bars 53, with bores :or openings 53a extending lengthwise therethrough, thus forming tubes extending transversely tof the distributor and opening into the channels 31 :and 3.2. These tubes are drilled to provide :small .lateral openings 54 through the walls of thetubesand spaced at-intervals lengthwisje ofsaid tubes. .Smalliholes 55, drilled through the-plate at theends :of the openings 52a, provide communication between -saidopenings and'the channels 3 l and 32. a

. .As shown in Fig. 4, theupperplate 33 is provided with a slot 42 extending across the plate .near the .end which the containers first approach. The slot 112 :extends diagonally upward and rearward ithrough Fthe plate. A slot 14 is provided in the .sides' of the channels 3.! .and 32.

the lower plate 34b, beneath the slot 42 and extends acros the plateand diagonally downward and rearward through the plate.

Additional slots 56 and 51 extending across the entire width of the passageway 62 and vertically through the plates 33 and 34a, respectively, are provided at the end of the plate 52 (Fig. 4).

The upper plate 33 and lower plate 34a are also each provided with a multiplicity of narrowly-spaced'perforations 46. These perforations are arranged as shown in Figs. 3 and 8 so that the greatest number is at or near the end of the said plates which the containers last pass.

The inner channel walls, 31 and 39, are provided with perforations, 38 and 40, respectively, in the portions which are .not lower than the outer walls (Fig. 4). As shown in Fig. 2, the

.outer channel 3| is provided at the center ofrits outer wall With an opening 35 toa steam inlet 36 which in .turn is. open to thesuperheater 51.

Guide rails 5|, Figs. 3, 5 and 6, extend along Asshown in Figs. 2,5 and 6, a Wall 59 is provided between the plate 33 and the chuck supporting table '25.

This wall 59 extends along the outer edge of the plate 33. A projection 50 of the chuck supporting table 25 provides a similar wall along the inner edge of the plate 33. A sealingrail 6| .is provided along the inner edge of the upper plate 33, as shown in Figs..5 and 6.

When a container Ill, supported on the rotating platform 24 (Fig. 2), approaches thestea'm,

distributor 29, a cap I! is maintained in register with it by means of the magnetic chuck 26. As the container and cap continue their travel, they pass successively into and through zones.A,.B, C, and D (Fig. 4), of the steam .distributor. Steam from the superheater is supplied through the inlet 36, Fig. 2, to the steam distributor and flows freely through the opening 3:5 to the channel .3I, the steam chests 45a. and 451), the tubes .53 :and channel 32, and thereby to every part..'of the steam distributorand out of each of :theopenings and slots,:ashereinafterdescribed.

As the cap' and containerapproach zone-A .(Fig. 3) they are subjectedito the action of the streams or sheets of vaporemanatingifrom'the steamchest 45b and directed outwardly andtrearwardly through the slots 42 and 44.. These tstreams scavenge-orsweep thexair out .of the cap'and the opening or head space 'of'the container andalso serve as 13, wall orcurtain to prevent the'infiltration of air into the zones :of the steam distributor.

The cap and container then 'm0Ve1iIlt0:Z0116.B where they are subjected to an atmosphere .of vapor provided by steam flowing :radiallyifrom the tubes 53 throughthe openings 54 andhorizontally and transversely from the openings 55.

' The constructionpermits thesteam to move freely vapor is greater-due'to the vertical-slots 56 and 51 and the greater number of proximateperforations. Also in zone C, the. cap "andcon'tainer move through the streams or sheets of 'vapor emanating in a forward direction from the slots .49 and 50. The combination of the greater concentration of vapor and the stream movement of vapor provides a final scavenging or'sweepingaction whereby any remaining air is removed from the cap and opening of the container and also serves as a curtain to prevent infiltration of air into the steam distributing area.

The cap and container then move into zone D where an atmosphere of vapor is provided by fine streams of vapor from the openings 38 and 40 in the channel walls of the steam distributor. In this zone, the cap is moved down and sealed on the container by the chuck 26 which is actuated by the cam 56 (Fig. 2). The sealed container is then removed from the machine by the section It (Fig. 1)

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the guide rails 51, in addition to aiding in the guiding of the containers, serve as a means of retarding the infiltration of air into the space below the steam distributor. The walls 59 and 60 and the sealing rail 6i serve the same purpose above the steam distributor. Y i

The particular arrangement of the perforations 46 shown in Figs. 3 and 8, has been found preferable but it should be understood that the arrangement may be modified without deviating from the spirit of our invention.

The invention as herein illustrated and described is adapted for use with superheated steam which we have found is desirable for use in packaging and sealing certain products, and may also be used with steam at lower temperatures or steam vapor which is preferable for use with certain other products. Still other inert gases may be used, heated if desired. The term inert gas as herein used, includes superheated steam, steam vapor and any other gases such, for example, as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which do not include free oxygen or oxidizin agents and which are suitable for the specified purposes of our invention, and also includes combinations of such gases,

The invention is herein described as applied to a rotary type sealing machine but it should be understood that this does not limit the application of our method or apparatus to the rotary type since it may be satisfactorily applied to other types.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. The method of sealing containers which consists in continuously moving caps and containers in register above and below distributing means respectively and successively subjecting each cap and container as it is moved along in register to a diagonal sheet of inert vapor directed outwardly and rearwardly, a series of fine streams of inert vapor, a vertical sheet of inert vapor, a concentrated group of vertical streams of inert vapor and a horizontal sheet of inert vapor directed in the direction of travel, and sealing said caps to said containers while subjecting same to a series of fine transverse streams of inert vapor.

2. In a rotary sealing machine, a steam distributor comprising an outer arcuate channel, an inner arcuate channel spaced inwardly from said outer channel, said channels having openings adjacent to said space for a portion of their length, plates interposed between said channels above and below said openings thereby forming an enclosed space between said channels, one end of said enclosed space sealed by suitable means, slots through said plates near the sealed end extending across the width of said plates and upwardly and outwardly away from said enclosed space and toward the sealed end, a mouthpiece spaced in the other end of the distributor and having a thickness less than that of the said enclosed space, such that two converging slots are provided at the end of said distributor, slots through said plates in advance of the mouthpiece and ex tending. across the width of said plates and vertically through said plates, said plates having central portions cut away providing an opening, tubes spaced transversely across said openings, said tubes'having radial perforations, said plates being provided with perforations in the space between said slots and said mouthpiece, the greatest concentration of said perforations being at or near said mouthpiece, and means for introducing steam to said distributor so that it may flow through said openings, spaces, and slots.

3.;In a container sealing apparatus, a steam distributor, means for continuously moving containers below aportion of said steam distributor, means for moving caps for said containers above a portion of said steam distributor and in register with said containers, said steam distributor comprising slots near the point of entrance such that a stream of steam is directed upwardly and rearwardly against said cap, and downwardly and rearwardly against the opening of said container, said distributor having horizontal central portions cut away providing an opening, tubes longitudinally spaced and extending transversely across said opening, said tubes having diagonal and vertical perforations, vertical perforations in said steam distributor progressively along the path of said. containers and caps, the greater number of perforations being placed near the exit to said steamdistributor, means for concentrating the flow of said steam at the exit of said steam distributor, said steam distributor being provided with perforations along the sides, and means for sealing said caps to said containers while :in said latter zone of the perforations.

4. In apparatus of the character described, means for conveying open filled containers and closures spaced thereabove along a horizontal path, a steam distributor positioned between the containers and closures in a part of the path of travel of said containers and closures, said distributor including means for directing steam downwardly into the containers and upwardly into and about the closures, the last-named means in part also directing steam both upwardly and downwardly substantially at the extremities of said distributor to thereby provide curtains of steam for retarding ingress of outside air to the spaces immediately above and below the distributor and means for attaching the closures to the containers immediately following their movement beyond said distributor and simultaneously entrapping steam within the containers, said steam distributor including horizontal longitudinally-spaced conduits extending transverse to the direction of travel of the containers and closures, said conduits provided with a plurality of perforations for directing the flow of steam to the containers and closures.

5. The method of sealing containers which consists in continuously moving caps and containers in register above and below distributing means respectively and successively subjecting each to a sheet of inert vapor, an atmosphere of freely moving inert vapor, a sheet of inert vapor, a concentrated group of vertical streams of inert vapor and a horizontal sheet of inert vapor directed in the direction of travel of the container and caps, and sealing said caps to said containers reason-r1 "said distributor (having central portions cutaway providing "an opening, :tubes spaced transversely :across said opening, :said tu'bes having diagonal and'vertical perforations;vertica1 iperforationsin fsaid steam distributor progressively along the path of said containers and caps, the greater :number of perforations .being .placed :near the exit Lto-said' steam distributor, a mouthpiece posiitione'diat the exit 'endof said .steam distributor to --provide .two fiathorizontal streams of steam di- 11801366.ZIOIlgfilldilTb'O the path of thelmovingeaps .and 'containersrespectively, slots-in said distributor in .advance of the mouthpiece and extending 'aeross and vertically through said distributor;

said steam distributor being provided with perforations along the sides, and "means ior sealing 7131131384135 'to said containers while in said zone oftheperforations.

7. The method which comprises "bringing a container and a closure cap therefor "into a relative position in which the cap is spaced-above and .:inregister with the container, continuously moving the cap and containerwhile said relative position is maintained, horizontally through a zone .in'which they are treated with an inertgas, said treatment 'comprising first directing sheets oirthe inert gas between the-cap" and icontainer and .in directions inclined and extending rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement :oi the cap and oontainer, thendireoting aseries oi iine streams of inert gas against the cap and :contamer and into the space therebetween, themenveloping the cap andcontainerin averticalsheet of inertgas extending transversely 'to thesaiddimotion of travel and @through'whioh sheet of inert gas "the cap and container are caused-to'travl, then passing the cap and container through a. concentrated group of vertical streams of inert "gas through a horizontal sheet of -inert gas extended in said directionpi travel, and bringing the cap and container together and sealing the cap to the container and subjecting the cap an'd container to-a series of transverse streams-of inert gas while the cap and the container are being brought together and sealed.

JQHNHOHL. O'LAV TBJERING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are or 'record'in the 'file "of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Number Name EJ075237 Davies V .Feb. 1,1938 22311470 :Marx :Aprfiz'l, 23223250 Murch June22, 1943 2 ,330,598 'Kronquest 'Septt28f1943 2,337,170 Wakham Dec. -21,'1943 2,362,799 Boyd et al. .i Nov. 14, 1944 2,362;84 1 "Minaker lNo'v.' 1'4,' 1944 

